Metabolite News and Research

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Metabolites are the intermediates and products of metabolism. The term ''metabolite'' is usually restricted to small molecules.

Study Reveals Early Development of Circadian Rhythms in Infant Gut Microbiomes

Infant gut microbiomes oscillate with a circadian rhythm, even when they are cultivated outside of the body.

3 Apr 2024

Metabolic Insights into Immune Cell Activation and Response

Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia identified a key metabolite in cells that helps direct immune responses and explains at a single cell level why immune cells that most efficiently recognize pathogens, vaccines, or diseased cells grow and divide faster than other cells.

18 Mar 2024

New Research Highlights Gut's Role in Preventing Infections

According to a study published in the journal Nature, gut bacteria and a diet high in the amino acid tryptophan can protect against pathogenic E. coli, which can cause severe upset stomach, cramps, fever, intestinal bleeding, and renal failure.

14 Mar 2024

Strategies to Counter Postnatal Growth Retardation in Piglets

The metabolic basis of postnatal growth retardation (PGR) in piglets is not yet clear, but it is characterized by poor production performance, low feed conversion rate, and a high mortality rate.

4 Mar 2024

Gut Microbial Metabolite Linked to Increased Thrombosis Risk in COVID-19 Patients

A gut microbial metabolite called 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine (2MBC) plays a role in exacerbating thrombosis -- the formation of blood clots – researchers report February 23rd in the journal Cell Metabolism.

26 Feb 2024

Study Unveils Dual Role of 7-DHC in Ferroptosis and Cancer Cell Survival

Cell death is fundamental to life and, thus, healthy aging. In the realm of cellular biology, ferroptosis (a form of programmed cell death) has emerged not only as a focal point of research for its potential in eliminating cancer cells, but also its role in a plethora of other diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, eye diseases such as Retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration, as well as ischemia, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, acute kidney injury and inflammation.

2 Feb 2024

Engineering Plants to Fight Disease with Friendly Bacteria

For the first time, scientists have modified the plant microbiome to increase the amount of “good” bacteria that shield the plant from harm.

8 Jan 2024

Unlocking the Gut's Metabolic Secrets

The variety of enzymes that microbes employ to make energy in the low-oxygen environment of the gut is highlighted by a survey of bacterial genomes.

8 Jan 2024

Breakthrough in Synthetic Biology: Researchers Build Artificial CO2-Fixing Pathway

Synthetic biology offers the opportunity to build biochemical pathways for the capture and conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2).

3 Jan 2024

SERS Decodes Cancer's Whispers: Metabolites Reveal Tumor Communication and Potential Targets

A study conducted by pre-PhD researcher Pablo S. Valera and recently published in PNAS demonstrates the potential of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to explore metabolites secreted by cancer cells in cancer research.

19 Dec 2023

Novel Approach Reveals Intergenerational Cooperation Among Bacteria

Bacteria collaborate and share nutrients among generations when they form communities. Using a recently invented technique, researchers at the University of Basel have been able to demonstrate this for the first time.

22 Nov 2023

A Glimpse Into the World of Bacterial Metabolism Within Hosts

Researchers from Kiel University (CAU) and the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen are shedding light on the enigmatic world of bacteria that coexist or parasitize animal hosts.

9 Nov 2023

Unleashing the Power of Melanin in Space for Next-Gen Biomaterials

Exploring the mysteries of the natural pigment melanin in the unique microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS) could lead to groundbreaking advances in biomaterial production on Earth and beyond.

9 Nov 2023

Nucleotide Metabolite Controls DNA Repair and Cancer Sensitivity

Scientists have unraveled the mechanism by which a particular metabolite regulates DNA repair activity and the susceptibility of tissues to cancer treatment.

3 Nov 2023

Study Uncovers New Mechanism for Plant-Microbe Communication

Microorganisms that live on or in plant tissues form what is known as a plant microbiome. This interface plays an important role in plants' survival due to the existence of beneficial microorganisms.

19 Oct 2023

Fungi-Inoculated Oilseed Rape Plants Show Increased Flavonoid Biosynthesis

Researchers inoculated oilseed rape plants with a species of fungus that is known for its ability to combat pest insects.

29 Aug 2023

Maize Root Chemicals Can Increase Wheat Yields by 4%

Maize roots secrete certain chemicals that affect the quality of soil. In some fields, this effect increases yields of wheat planted subsequent to maize in the same soil by more than 4%.

14 Aug 2023

Unraveling the Link Between High Body Temperature and Increased Viral Resistance

Researchers from The University of Tokyo unravel the connection between high body temperature and increased viral resistance.

21 Jul 2023

New Study Identifies Aerobic Glycolysis Vital for Eye Development

According to a recent Northwestern Medicine study published in Nature Communications, aerobic glycolysis, the process by which cells convert glucose into lactate, is essential for eye development in mammals.

17 Jul 2023

Glutaminase 2 Plays a Key Role in Glucose Homeostasis

Glutaminase 2 (GLS2) is a master regulator of glutaminolysis. GLS2 converts glutamine to glutamate, thereby playing a role in cellular energy production. GLS2 is abundant in the liver, and is also found in pancreatic β-cells. However, the role of GLS2 in pancreatic islets – in which both ɑ- and β- cells are present – associated with glucose metabolism is currently unknown.

6 Jul 2023